The FibreLINE robotic system for the high-rate manufacturing of large-scale composite structures developed by Loop Technology, based in Dorset, UK, attracted significant attention at last week’s JEC World composites exhibition in Paris.

The technology provides end-to-end automation for the preforming of large composite structures and received the 2025 JEC World Innovation Award in the Aerospace Process category for Loop and its UK development partners FANUC, Güdel, Zung and the National Composites Centre in Bristol.

Specifically intended for advanced material deposition and accelerating the building of aircraft wings and fuselage sections, as well as engine nacelles, wind turbines and drones, it can significantly accelerate the production rate of such carbon fibre-based components.

FibreLINE cuts, sorts and sequences carbon fibre material before shaping and placing it onto a mould where it is inspected, heat staked and made ready for the next stage of production.

At the centre of the system are FibreFORM and FibreROLL, two pick and place end effectors that handle large plies and deposit them onto the mould at a breakthrough rate when compared to other methods such as AFP/ATP and manual layup. FibreEYE leverages advanced optical scanning to ensure each ply is placed defect free.

FibreLINE is characterised by a high deposition rate and is highly accurate and repeatable, modular and scalable.

“Our system has developed over several years as the technology has updated and evolved,” explains Loop managing director Alun Reece. “The system is made up from our suite of pioneering end effectors that automate the entire preforming stage in composites manufacturing.”

www.looptechnology.com